Industry revenues were up 6% to $47,267.0 million from last year’s $44,404.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and total profits leaped 73% to $3,283.6 million from $1,898.7 million, as most sectors posted gains on the top and bottom lines. Return on Sales showed a 260 b.p. improvement to 6.9% led by big gains in diversified, a return to the black in equipment after last year’s loss, and apparel only dipping 80 b.p. against a very strong Q4 in 2018. Footwear, the largest sector by far, continued to return strong profit gains on a high-single-digit top line improvement. Of ... Log in to view full article.